Yuba: Speed up process

The Yuba Goldfields remains a site of controversy, but the Yuba County Board of Supervisors is trying to speed up the legal process to clear it up.

The board on Tuesday approved sending a letter to the Bureau of Land Management to encourage expediting the hearing process for the Yuba Goldfields legal dispute between the bureau and Western Aggregates.

The letter says the county is anxious to resolve the dispute to “increase recreation opportunities, improve roads, restore natural areas and establish a job training center for heavy equipment operators.”

The hearing process can take two to three years, but a request can be made to expedite the process after one year.

The goldfields have long been a site of conflict between the bureau and Western Aggregates, which opposes the training center and fought the opening of Hammonton Road years ago.

The board tabled a second letter to BLM that expressed the county’s interest in a potential partnership for road improvements, a training center and other projects.

Supervisors Dan Logue and John Nicoletti said they want to hear from the parties involved about the cost, feasibility and effects of a partnership.

“I want to know if this is doable,” Logue said.

Supervisor Mary Jane Griego said she does not want to wait any longer. Every week the board hears from people who want help in the goldfields area, Griego said.

“I’m ready to move forward,” Griego said. “I think we’ve waited long enough.”

The letter asks for the bureau’s help in managing the roads because without the partnership, they are solely on Yuba County’s shoulders, Griego said.

The training center is another important reason to hasten the process, because it is taking so long that the Operating Engineers Local Union No. 3 is considering moving the training center to another county, Griego said.

“It’s a missed opportunity for our kids to learn a trade,” she said.

Supervisors Hal Stocker and Griego voted to send the second letter. Logue and Nicoletti were opposed. Supervisor Don Schrader missed the meeting.

The board will re-address the letter on July 10.

Ashley Gebb can be reached at 749-4724 or agebb@appealdemocrat.com